Nikon D3400 vs. D5500: Comparison of 2 of the DSLR cameras

The DSLR camera has been known for being versatile, reliable, portable, and produce high-quality images. This is the reason others called it the king of all cameras.

When it comes to choices there’s plenty of it because every year, sometimes there’s only a few months gap, new cameras are being launched to the market. If you’re looking for an entry-level DSLR camera that has been tested and proven to be reliable, Nikon D3400 and D5500 are 2 of the best options.

To help you determine which one is the better option between the 2 DSLR cameras, we wrote down a detailed comparison of it.

Nikon D3400 vs. D5500

When comparing 2 DSLR cameras you must start looking from its launched date, body weight and size, and their common strength and weaknesses. This is important for the following reasons:

If every year new cameras are being launched so as its technology. This is the reason looking at the launched date is helpful because you can determine which of the two DSLR cameras are more updated or advanced.

In terms of its body build, you must know which of the 2 DSLR cameras are portable, lighter, and durable.

Note: The table below will show you the comparison of Nikon D3400 and D5500.

PRODUCT

Year Launched

Weight

Width
(mm)

Height
(mm)

Depth
(mm)

Nikon D3400

2016

395g

124

98

76

Nikon D5500

2015

420g

124

97

70

STRENGTH

WEAKNESS

· APS-C sensors

· Built-in Flash

· External Flash Shoe

· RAW Support

· HDMI Out

· Face Detection Focus

· 24-megapixel Max. Resolution

· ISO, Shutter speed and

· Aperture

· Image Stabilization

· Environmental Sealing

· NFC

· AF Micro Adjustment

· Panoramic Option

· Focus Peaking

· In-Camera Panoramas

· Slow-Motion videos

Nikon D3400 and D5500 Lens Available

Another important detail to consider when comparing two DSLR cameras is their available lenses. Lenses are the best helping tool for a DSLR camera because it’s the one responsible for getting the photographer’s subject at its exact position.

For Nikon D3400 and D5500, they have the same lens mount type, Nikon F. For this mount type, there are a total of 286 lenses and 88 of it have image stabilization.

Review of Best Products – Nikon D3400 vs. D5500

Now that we know what Nikon D3400 and D5500 have in common, the number of available lenses and weight and size, let’s look at their unique features.

When Nikon launched D3400, its aim is to change the way users taking pictures using their smartphones. We know that there are some people who still prefer to use their smartphone in taking pictures because DSLR cameras are quite intimidating to use.

So, they guarantee everyone that D3400 is easy to handle and use with a superb image quality. They do this by designing Nikon D3400 with simple control layout and equipped it with impressive features such as, but not limited to:

Guide mode

Nikon equipped D3400 with Guide Mode. This will provide step-by-step assistance to the users on how the camera works such as shooting, viewing or deleting and adjusting its settings.

It offers 2 shooting operations: easy and advanced. In easy operation, it allows users to set some shooting scenarios such as Close-ups Auto, Landscapes, Moving Subjects, Portraits, Night Landscapes, and Sleeping Faces.

While in advanced operation, it allows the users to set different operation mode such as, but not limited to: Soften Backgrounds, Freeze Motion (People or Vehicles), Show Water Flowing, Capture Reds in Sunsets, and Reduce Blur.

Autofocus System

Nikon D3400 is equipped with some of the finest autofocus systems available today. It has an 11 focus point and its TTL exposure metering depend on 420-pixel RGB sensor. Compared to other DSLR models, this isn’t impressive; but with Nikon D3400 affordability and class, its performance is reliable.

Battery life

One of the best things about Nikon D3400 is its battery life. It has an impressive 1,200 shots per charge. This is the reason many new sports photographer are choosing D3400 because it can guarantee them that they will never miss a good shot.

Leveling up your creativity is the main purpose of Nikon D5500. Nikon guarantees that D5500 will continue to inspire their users with its impressive built and features.

Build-wise, Nikon D5500 was made out of carbon-fiber composite material. It also has a new layout for its internal structure to achieve its lighter, smaller, and slimmer physique; making it more portable to bring everywhere you go. All these while maintaining its durability and strength.

While for its features, it’s stated as follows:

Cinematic Video Quality

If you dream to bring your story to life, this is certainly the best time to do it with the use of Nikon D5500!

Nikon D5500 can capture Full HD video at the frame rate of 60p. It also has improved autofocus. These features work together to produce a sharp image quality with vibrant colors and high-reliability stereo sound.

Vari-Angle Monitor

In terms of being first, D5500 is Nikon’s first DSLR camera that has a touchscreen Vari-Angle Monitor. This monitor has a 3.2-inch display and works by tapping it to put the focus on a certain area. Once you’re set, you can start shooting.

If you want to watch playbacks to check your image details, all you need to do is pinch to zoom in.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

One of the advantages of Nikon D5500 over D3400 is its Wi-Fi connectivity. So, wherever you are, sharing and transferring files will never be a problem. It is also compatible with smartphones and tablets.

SnapBridge

Aside from offering easy to handle and use DSLR cameras, Nikon also wants to give its users ease when it comes to transferring files from the camera to the computer. They delivered this by creating SnapBridge.

SnapBridge uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to establish a constant connection between the camera and any compatible smart devices. With this, the user can automatically transfer images to a computer or cloud storage with no interruption.

The only downside of SnapBridge is not all Nikon’s DSLR camera works well with its application. Good thing for Nikon D3400 and D5500, they work just fine.

What are you shooting?

After understanding all about Nikon D3400 and D5500 features and physical attributes, it’s time to know the type of photography they are good at.

We have tested each camera to 5 different types of photography: street, general-use, portrait, landscape, and sports.

In street photography, Nikon D3400 and D5500 are good to use because they both have a large APS-C sensor, Live-View capability, Optical Viewfinder and face-detection focusing.

But Nikon D5500 still has an advantage because it has a fully articulated monitor that gives it more flexibility in shooting.

For general-use, landscape and portrait photography, they are equal as they both have a high-resolution sensor, good handling, and Live view capability.

Lastly, in sports photography, Nikon D3400 and D5500 are good to use in this type because they both have an optical viewfinder, fast shutter speed, and low light ISO. The only advantage of Nikon D3400 is it has a longer battery life compared to D5500.

While for Nikon D5500, its advantage to D3400 is it has an improved AF point of 39 and autofocus performance of 9 Cross-Type AF points.

Conclusion

Comparing 2 of the best entry-level DSLR camera is not an easy task. Particularly for Nikon D3400 and D5500 because they are both under Nikon’s family DSLR cameras, and there’s only a year gap when they’ve been released. So, there are lots of features and specifications in common.

But in the end, one DSLR camera still stands out and that is Nikon D5500.

Nikon D5500 may be heavier and was launched a year before D3400; but in terms of its performance, it’s everything a photographer could ask for.

Some of its amazing features are:

It has touch screen mode that makes it easier for the user to control the camera functions.

It has improved picture control and scene recognition system.

It has a higher resolution screen (1.037k dots over D3400 921k dots).

It has a Special Effects mode that offers 10 effects to enhance the image quality. The special effects include, but not limited to, Super Vivid, Pop, and Photo Illustration.

It has an AE Bracketing that is helpful to use in shooting in tough lighting conditions.

Also, Nikon D5500 is an entry-level to midrange-level DSLR camera. This means that Nikon D5500 is a reliable companion for new photographers, enthusiasts, and professionals.

So, if you’re a new photographer whose skills level up from beginner to intermediate, you no longer need to buy a new DSLR camera to fit your skill level because Nikon D5500 is still advantageous to use.